Derby d’Italia Buildup: Mancini Shrugs Off Allegri Mind Games

In fact, the former AC Milan boss believes even Napoli and the Rossoneri have more of a chance of ending the season top of the pile than his own club.

“For me, at the moment, the favourites for the Scudetto are Fiorentina,” Mancini told the assembled media ahead of Sunday’s Derby d’Italia clash at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

“We are second and we are happy with that. We are among the strongest teams and very soon we will be back fighting for the title. We want to stay in the position we are in, at the top and fighting until the end.

“The game against Juventus will be a very complicated one. A win on Sunday night would give us great enthusiasm. The players will have the right attitude for the game.

“We know how important it is to do well. A win would allow us to move clear of a direct competitor but we know Juve are a team capable of returning to the top at any moment.”

Mancini confirmed that Stevan Jovetic is in line to feature, having performed well in his last three training sessions and also claimed that there were no opposition players who he fears going into Sunday’s massive match.

“There’s no Juventus player in particular who I would say that we fear,” added the ex-Lazio boss. “Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata are young but very talented.

“Juan Cuadrado has given Allegri the speed his side needed. Paul Pogba doesn’t need any introduction. Sami Khedira is back now too. In general terms, they are a strong team.”